9/11 Strenghtened Her Conviction in Hijab

For many, the tragic events of 9/11 roused many to remove the hijab, but for Wajiha Mohar, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, it only strengthened her conviction in hijab and Islam.

Shortly after she started wearing hijab, Wajiha Mohar was walking on her college campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, when the twin towers were hit on 9/11. A policeman approached her with a warning, "If I were you, I wouldn't be walking alone right now." It wasn't long until she learned the Islamic Center on campus had been vandalized. On a campus in southern Virginia with very few women who wear hijab, her father came to campus to take her home. Her father was so scared that he asked Wajiha to take her hijab off for a week or two until things calmed down. Wajiha refused and said she had nothing to be ashamed of and wasn't going to falter in her conviction even if temporarily. "I'd rather just stay at home than leave without my hijab...my hijab is a source of pride not shame," she bravely stated.

Instead of doubting her religious obligations, Wajiha admits 9/11 made her a stronger Muslim and while she was unsure of her hijab, the tragic events only strengthened her conviction, "I now cover my head proudly, because I am representing a religion that is not only about love and peace, but is beautiful as well!"

When asked what advice she would give to girls who are struggling with hijab, she stated, "When considering wearing hijab, you should do some deep soul searching and ask yourself, 'How is my relationship with God?' It if is your wish to please Him than put on that head scarf proudly and with confidence. Muslim women considering hijab should know that the hijab is a sign of female empowerment not enslavement."

Special thanks to Wajiha for sharing her story. Do you have a story to tell? Share it at mystory@hautehijab.com.